Abstract: A person support surface configured to maximize pressure relief when the various portions of the support surface are at an angle with respect to a reference plane.

Abstract: A pneumatic accumulator integral to a structural member of a person-support apparatus to store air is disclosed. The accumulator serves as a reservoir available for rapid changes in demand for pressurized air, for use by a variety of devices integral or external to the person-support apparatus or for extension and retraction of at least one portion of the person-support apparatus. A pump supplies air to the accumulator. The pump and at least one pressure sensor are in communication with a controller. At least one valve in the fluidic path is in communication with the controller and meters the supply of air. The controller may further be connected with an alarming unit, hospital network, activity log, communication station nurse call system or electronic medical records.

Abstract: An occupant support (20) includes an intermediate layer (26, 30, 120) and a wicking layer (52) atop the intermediate layer. The wicking layer comprises a first region (62) having a lower moisture wick rate (W1) and a second region (64) having a higher wick rate (W2). A moisture management cover (52) for use with an occupant support article has discrete higher (64) and lower (62) wick rate regions. A related method for transporting moisture away from a target region of an occupant support comprises distributing the moisture over an area beyond area A and exposing the distributed moisture to a fluid stream capable of receiving the moisture.

Abstract: A system for interoperability of a person support apparatus and various patient mobility devices are disclosed. The system allows for communication between the person support apparatus and various patient mobility devices.

Abstract: An occupant support suite comprises a bed (20) an acoustic sensor (110, 110A) associated with the bed for receiving an acoustic signature (160) corresponding to a stand alone device (150) and a processor (112, 112A) for comparing the signature to a library (116) of reference signatures, and, if the comparison is satisfactory, issuing a notification (208) to the bed, to an off-bed destination (210) or to both. A related method for responding to the acoustic signature comprises receiving (200) the signature, determining if the signature compares satisfactorily (204, 206) to a reference signature and, if so, issuing a notification (208) to an occupant support, to an off-support destination (210) or to both. Another related method for responding to the acoustic signature comprises receiving the signature and causing the occupant support to undergo a change of state from an initial state causally unrelated to the defined condition to a changed state.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system for DVT prevention and therapy coupled to a person support surface of a person-support apparatus. In one embodiment the system can include at least one bladder, a controller, a fluid supply unit and a valve assembly in one embodiment. The at least one bladder can be configured to provide percussion therapy or sequential compression to the lower limbs of the person supported on the person-support apparatus. The fluid supply unit can be configured to supply fluid to the at least one bladder via the valve assembly. The controller can control the opening and closing of the valve assembly depending on the pressure inside the at least one bladder. In another embodiment, the system for DVT prevention and therapy uses mechanical actuation devices to provide a mechanical stimulus to the patient's limb.

Abstract: A care delivery system includes a bed (20) having a bed-side interface unit (B), an appliance set (90) comprising one or more appliances (99) and two or more appliance-side interface units (A) distributed among the appliances, and a set (124) of one or more adaptors (126) each having a host interface unit (H) compatible with the bed-side interface unit, and a client interface unit (C). Each adaptor is arranged to accommodate fluid flow between its host interface unit and its client interface unit. Each client interface unit of the adaptor set, taken individually, is compatible with at least one but fewer than all of the appliance-side interface units of the appliance set and, taken collectively, are compatible with all of the appliance-side interface units of the appliance set. The system also includes an appliance annunciator (140) and an appliance discriminator (76) responsive to the annunciator thereby configuring the system for the pneumatic demands of the appliance.

Abstract: A bed for use with a patient coupled to a medical device via at least one patient care line is provided. The bed includes a frame including at least one movable patient support section and an actuator coupled to the movable patient support section. The actuator is operable to move the movable patient support section. The bed also includes control circuitry that is coupled to the actuator to command operation of the actuator. The control circuitry ceases operation of the actuator in response to receiving a signal indicative of an unwanted condition of the at least one patient care line.

Abstract: A cooling system 70 for an occupant 62 of an occupant support is a targeted cooling system comprising a coolant conduit 100 having an inlet 102 for receiving coolant from a source of coolant and an outlet 104 for discharging the coolant to a destination 120. The conduit is nonpermanently and manually shape adjustable, shape stable subsequent to adjustment, and removably securable to one or both of the occupant support and the occupant. In one embodiment the destination is an ambient environment selected to achieve targeted coolant delivery to a localized region of the occupant's body. A cooling glove 190 to be worn by a user has at least one coolant intake 210 and at least one of a) a coolant passage 240 extending from the coolant intake to an exhaust opening 260; and b) a cooperative relationship with the user which defines a fluid pathway 220 bounded in part by the glove and in part by the user.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame having a patient support deck that is movable between a horizontal position to support a patient in a lying position and a chair egress position to support the patient in a sitting position. Depending upon a height of the patient, a lift system is operated to support the patient support deck relative to an underlying floor at different heights when the patient support deck is moved to the chair egress position. Depending upon a weight of the patient, at least one bladder of a mattress is either deflated or further inflated when the patient support deck is moved to the chair egress position and the patient is in the process of egressing from the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus is convertible between a horizontal bed position, having a generally horizontal sleeping surface upon which a person lies in a supine position, and a chair egress position, allowing a person to exit the patient support apparatus from a sitting position. The patient support apparatus includes a deck and a footboard coupled to the deck. The footboard may be stowed while the patient support apparatus is in the chair egress position without being removed from the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a base, a frame coupled to the base, a deck supported by the frame and capable of moving relative to the frame, and a siderail assembly movable between a raised position above the deck and a first lowered position below the deck. The patient support apparatus further includes a siderail mover coupled to the deck to move the siderail assembly from the first lowered position to a second lowered position in response to movement of the deck relative to the frame.

Abstract: A bed frame 36 disclosed herein includes a calf section 72 with a foot end 74 and an upper end 76 longitudinally spaced from the foot end, an upper body section 54 with a head end 56 and a lower end 58 longitudinally spaced from the head end, and a medial section 66 longitudinally intermediate the calf and upper body sections. The bed frame is capable of assuming a chair state and a chair egress state. The upper body section and medial section define a sacral corner 68, and the calf section and medial section define a popliteal corner 70 spaced from the sacral corner by an intercorner distance. The intercorner distance is smaller in the chair egress state than in the chair state. A mattress 100 disclosed herein includes an upper body segment 102, a calf segment 116, and a medial segment 124 The lower end 106 of the upper body segment cooperates with the upper end 120 of the calf segment to define an intersegment distance.

Abstract: A person-support apparatus comprises a frame, a deck, and an upper body support assembly. The deck is coupled to the frame and configured to support a person. The deck includes a first section and a second section. The first section is configured to pivot between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation with respect to the frame. The person is in a supine position when the first section is in the first angular orientation and is moved to a sitting position when the first section is moved to the second angular orientation. The upper body support assembly is movably coupled to the frame and includes a torso support. The torso support is configured to support a portion of the person's torso when the person is in a forward-leaning posture in the sitting position.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a mattress support deck coupled to the frame. The mattress support deck is movable between a horizontal position to support a patient in a lying position and a chair egress position to support the patient in a sitting position. The patient support apparatus has at least one actuator coupled to the mattress support deck and operable to move the mattress support deck between the horizontal position and the chair egress position. Control circuitry is coupled to the at least one actuator and is operable to command operation of the at least one actuator. In response to the control circuitry receiving a chair lockout signal, the at least one actuator is prevented from being operated to move the mattress support deck into the chair egress position.

Abstract: A hospital bed has a base, an upper frame above the base, and a lift system to raise and lower the upper frame relative to the base between a low position and a high position. The bed also has control circuitry coupled to the lift system to command operation of the lift system. The control circuitry further includes an angle sensor to provide a signal indicative of an angle at which at least one of the base and the upper frame are tilted away from a substantially horizontal orientation. The control circuitry has an indicator that is activated to indicate to a caregiver that the lift system should be operated to move the upper frame to the low position when the angle sensor indicates that the angle is greater than a threshold amount.

Abstract: A bed for use with a patient coupled to a medical device via at least one patient care line is provided. The bed includes a frame including at least one movable patient support section and an actuator coupled to the movable patient support section. The actuator is operable to move the movable patient support section. The bed also includes control circuitry that is coupled to the actuator to command operation of the actuator. The control circuitry ceases operation of the actuator in response to receiving a signal indicative of an unwanted condition of the at least one patient care line.

Abstract: A patient support surface including a cover defining an interior region, a layer of three dimensional material, located at the interior region, and an air circulation device disposed adjacent the layer of three dimensional material. The patient support surface includes at least one of a percussion device and a vibration device, located at the interior region.

Abstract: A siderail assembly includes a guide, a support frame coupled to the frame and movable between first and second positions, and a barrier coupled to the support frame and movable therewith. The siderail assembly further includes a handle coupled to the barrier to move between a first position and a second position relative to the barrier. The siderail assembly may include electronic controls to change the position or limit movement of various portions of a patient support apparatus on which the siderail assembly may be coupled.

Abstract: A patient position-activated room device control apparatus coupled to a patient's bed controls a device associated with a patient's room in response to the patient changing position relative to the patient's bed.